Adaptive support

ABSTRACT

Adaptive-support furniture includes several support rungs, a first and second frame members, several pulleys as well as first and second elongate flexible members. The support rungs each have first and second ends. The first frame member at least partially houses the first ends of the support rungs while the second frame member at least partially houses the second ends of the support rungs. The pulleys are provided to the first and second ends of the support rungs and to the first and second frame members. The elongate flexible members are threaded through the pulleys of the frame members and the pulleys of the ends of the support rungs such that motion of the ends of the support rungs is interdependent.

SUMMARY

The disclosure describes adaptive-support furniture including several support rungs, a first frame member, a second frame member, several pulleys, a first elongate flexible member and a second elongate flexible member. The support rungs each have first and second ends. The first frame member at least partially houses the first ends of the support rungs. The second frame member at least partially houses the second ends of the support rungs. The pulleys are provided to the first and second ends of the support rungs and to the first and second frame members. The first elongate flexible member is threaded through the pulleys of the first frame member and the pulleys of the first ends of the support rungs such that motion of the first ends of the support rungs is interdependent. The second elongate flexible member is threaded through the pulleys of the second frame member and the pulleys of the second ends of the support rungs such that motion of the second ends of the support rungs is interdependent.

Further, the disclosure describes an adaptive support including several cylinders, several pistons, and a reservoir. The pistons each have a first end received by one of the plurality of cylinders and a second end provided with a support rung. The reservoir is in unrestricted fluid communication with the cylinders and is configured such that, through a fluid held within the reservoir and cylinders, relative motion between the support rungs is inversely related.

Still further, the disclosure describes adaptive-support equipment including several pistons, at least one frame member and an elongate flexible member. The pistons each have a first end provided with a rung and second end provided with pulleys.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, example constructions are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a base state of example adaptive-support equipment according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 illustrates a right-side view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 1 & 2 .

FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 1-3 .

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 1-4 .

FIG. 6 illustrates a left-side view of a displaced state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 1-5 .

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a displaced state of example adaptive-support equipment according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a left-side view of the displaced state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 illustrates a right-side view of the displaced state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 7 & 8 .

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a base state of example adaptive-support equipment according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 illustrates a top view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 10 & 11 .

FIG. 13 illustrates a left-side view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 10-12 .

FIG. 14 illustrates a left-side view of a displaced state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 10-13 .

FIG. 15 illustrates a cut-away view of the displaced state of example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 10-14 .

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a base state of example adaptive-support equipment according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIG. 16 .

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 16 & 17 .

FIG. 19 illustrates a left-side view of the base state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 16-18 .

FIG. 20 illustrates a left-side view of a displaced state of the example adaptive-support equipment of FIGS. 16-19 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the disclosure and manners by which they may be implemented. Although the preferred mode of carrying out disclosed systems, apparatus and methods has been described, those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that other embodiments for carrying out or practicing disclosed systems, apparatus and methods are also possible.

It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

When a person's weight is to be supported for extended periods of time, points of concentrated pressure can lead to discomfort, known as ‘hot spots’. In cases where a person is wheelchair-bound or bedridden, these hot spots can lead to bed sores which can cause serious medical problems. A smooth distribution of pressure eliminates hot spots.

Embodiments of the disclosure substantially eliminate, or at least partially address, problems in the prior art, providing a true, constant force, contouring surface to offer support while eliminating pressure concentrations.

Disclosed support equipment is configured to maximize comfort by distributing a person's weight evenly and contouring to their shape. An equal force and/or pressure, contouring support system actively adapts to a person's weight. A supporting contour is independent of the contour's displacement resulting in an equal distribution of forces along this contour.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the disclosure will be made apparent from the drawings and the detailed description of the illustrative embodiments construed in conjunction with the appended claims that follow.

It will be appreciated that described features are susceptible to being combined in various combinations without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate example adaptive-support equipment which may take the form of adaptive-support furniture 1000. Adaptive-support furniture 1000 includes several support rungs 1110 with pulleys 1114 and 1118, a first frame member 1120 with pulleys 1124, a second frame member 1140 with pulleys 1444 and elongate flexible members 1132 and 1134.

As used herein, the term “pulley” refers to an element configured to maintain position and/or orientation of the elongate flexible members with a contact surface while providing an inflection point and accommodating sliding of the elongate flexible members over the pulleys. In some embodiments the contact surface does not rotate about a center point and can be made of a low friction material, for example high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE).

Support rungs 1110 span the first 1120 and second 1140 frame members to provide a compound support surface for a user of adaptive-support furniture 1000 and are at least partially housed at first ends by first frame member 1120 and at second ends by second frame member 1140.

Frame members 1120 and 1140 may be configured to constrain each of the first and second ends of the support rungs 1110, for example, to a single dimension of translation. The first ends of the support rungs 1110 may be constrained by slots or channels 1122 in first frame member 1120 while the second ends of support rungs 1110 may be constrained by slots or channels 1142 in second frame member 1140.

Two or more of the slots or channels 1122 and 1142 may be relatively angled. For example, a first slot or channel may be vertical when furniture 1000 is placed in a horizontal orientation, a second slot or channel may be angled a few degrees relative the first slot or channel and a third slot or channel may be angled a few degrees relative to the second slot or channel. The interface between support rungs 1110 and the slots or channels 1122 and 1142 in the frame members 1120 and 1140 may be low friction, for example, by including bearings, bushings, lubricants, HMWPE, or combinations of these.

Pulleys 1114 are provided to the first ends of support rungs 1110. Pulleys 1124 are provided to first frame member 1120, for example, between slots or channels 1122 and above an upper limit thereof.

First elongate flexible member 1132 is strung back and forth between pulleys 1124 and pulleys 1114 from a front to a rear of seat 1100 to offer an adjustable and adaptable suspension of the first ends of support rungs 1110. Threaded through pulleys 1124 and pulleys 1114, first elongate flexible member 1132 links support rungs 1110 such that motion of the first ends of support rungs 1110 is interdependent.

Pulleys 1118 are provided to the second ends of support rungs 1110. Pulleys 1144 are provided to second frame member 1140, for example, between slots or channels 1142 and above an upper limit thereof.

Second elongate flexible member 1134 is strung back and forth between pulleys 1144 and pulleys 1118 from the front to the rear of seat 1100 to offer an adjustable and adaptable suspension of the second ends of support rungs 1110. Threaded through pulleys 1144 and pulleys 1118, second elongate flexible member 1134 links support rungs 1110 such that motion of the second ends of support rungs 1110 is interdependent.

In accordance with the interdependence of the ends of support rungs 1110, movement of one or more of support rungs 1110 in a first direction causes one or more other support rungs 1110 to move in a second direction opposite or substantially opposite the first direction. Elongate flexible members 1132 and 1134, the pulleys of the frame members 1120 and 1140 and the pulleys of the support rungs 1110 are configured to cooperate to equalize force among support rungs 1110. Pressure may also be equalized for equal surface areas. Support rungs 1110 respond to external pressure from a user naturally, without requiring a feedback loop of electronic or digital sensing, analysis of sensor data and activation of powered motors.

Adaptive-support furniture 1000 further includes retraction devices or reels 1152 and 1154 provided to first frame member 1120 and retraction devices or reels 1156 and 1158 provided to each frame member 1140. Reels 1152, 1154, 1156 and 1158 are configured to adjust a baseline position of support rungs 1110 by adjusting the length of elongate flexible members threaded through the pulleys of the frame members 1120 and 1140 and support rungs 1110.

For example, rotating reel 1152 in a first direction wraps an increasing length of elongate flexible member 1132 around reel 1152 to thereby decrease the length of elongate flexible member 1132 available for passing around pulleys 1114 and 1124. This effectively raises the baseline position of the first ends support rungs 1110. It follows that rotating reel 1152 in a second direction opposite the first direction results in a decreased length of elongate flexible member 1132 wrapped around reel 1152 thereby increasing the length of elongate flexible member 1132 available for passing around pulleys 1114 and 1124 which effectively lowers the baseline position of the first end of support rungs 1110. Similar actions of reel 1156 results in similar responses to elongate flexible member 1134 and, thereby, second ends of support rungs 1110. Supplemental reels 1154 and 1158 may be provided to similarly adjust the available lengths of elongate flexible members 1132 and 1134, respectively.

In a further example, a tensioning device (not illustrated) may be provided to level support rungs 1110 to the baseline position when furniture 1000 is not in use.

A dog 1153 and biasing member 1155 may be provided to selectively prevent movement of reel 1152. By overcoming the resistance of biasing member 1155, dog 1153 may be disengaged from a toothed surface of reel 1152 allowing reel 1152 to be rotated to the appropriate position for the preferred baseline level of support rungs 1110. In an example, biasing member 1155 may be a spring. A rigid elongate member such as a shaft 1157 may be fixedly coupled between reel 1152 and reel 1156 such that the two reels rotate together. Locking the two reels 1152 and 1156 together in this way encourages balanced levelling or positioning of both first and second ends of support rungs 1110.

Each support rung end is constrained to at most three degrees of freedom. For example, each support rung 1110 may be allowed to rotate about its longitudinal axis and each of the first and second ends may be allowed to translate within any constraining mechanism of the first and second frame members 1120 and 1140. Independent translation of the first and second ends of support rungs 1110 may yield rotation about a horizontal, transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Support rungs 1110, frame member 1120, frame member 1140, slots or channels 1122 and slots or channels 1142 cooperate to yield a single compound support surface. In an example, such a compound support surface may provide a seat 1000 for a chair. One or more additional compound support surfaces may be produced by duplicating these components. For example, with a second compound support surface, a back 1200 may be provided to seat 1100.

While the compound support surface of seat 1100 is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1-6 as including eleven support rungs 1110, it will be appreciated that any number of support rungs 1110 suitable for supporting the desired portion or portions of a user's body may be included. Similarly, while back rest 1200 is illustrated by way of example as including eleven support rungs 1110, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of support rungs 1110 may be included.

Depending on the body parts to be supported by support rungs 1110, the compound support surface may be divided into zones so that parts requiring different amounts of support are supported by the different zones. As illustrated, adaptive-support equipment 1000 includes only a single zone for seat 1100. However, by fixing elongate flexible member 1132 at one of pulleys 1124 and elongate flexible member 1134 at the paired one of pulleys 1144, two zones can be created. The two zones would not be in communication and support rungs 1110 of the separate zones would behave independently. In this case, there would be front and rear zones of seat 1100.

In another example, the number of elongate flexible members could be multiplied to multiply the number of independent support zones. For example, multiplying the single elongate strand on each side into two strands such that each strand is strung between a subset of the paired pulleys yields two independent zones that each include interdependent support rungs 1110. This form may be suitable for separately supporting a user's legs and a user's torso.

It may be noted that back 1200 could be considered a separate zone from seat 1100 since it includes separate elongate flexible members and, therefore, support rungs independent from the support rungs of seat 1100. The number of zones will be determined by the ultimate configuration and need of a particular system and body position. The zones will often be broken up along the length of a person's body.

A pedestal and one or more legs, collectively referenced by numeral 1300, may be provided to seat 1100 to elevate the same above an environmental support surface such as a floor or the ground. Further, arm rests (not illustrated) may be coupled with back 1200 or seat 1100 and foot or leg rests (not illustrated) may be coupled with seat 1100 to support or elevate a user's feet and/or legs. In some cases, the foot or leg rests (not illustrated) could be considered a separate, third zone comprised of a third support structure comparable to the compound support structure of the seat 1100.

Adaptive-support furniture 1000 may be provided in any of a variety of dimensions suitable for supporting either or both of juvenile and adult human users. For example, seat 1100 may be about or approximately 16-24″ by about 12-18″ and could take rectangular or square shapes. In a further example, back 1200 may be about or approximately 16-24″ wide by about or approximately 14-30″ tall. In another example, dimensions of adaptive-support furniture 1000 may be suitable for supporting animals, such as canines, pinnipeds, or bovines.

While the first and second frame members 1120 and 1140 may take any of a variety of forms suitable for housing or constraining the ends of support rungs 1110 and for mounting frame member pulleys 1124 and 1144, in an example, they are substantially planar or plate-like. Similarly, while the first and second frame members 1120 and 1140 may be provided in any of a variety of relative orientations, in an example, they are substantially parallel. By substantially parallel, the first and second frame members may define an angle therebetween of only about 1 or 2 degrees.

Support rungs 1110 may take any of a variety of shapes suitable to provide a comfortable, compound support surface to a user of the equipment. Shapes include but are not limited to circular cross-section, elliptical cross-section and rectangular cross-section.

Components of adaptive-support furniture 1000 such as support rungs 1110 and frame members 1120 and 1140, may be formed from any of a variety of strong, durable materials including but not limited to wood, metal, composites or high-density plastics.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate additional or alternative adaptive-support equipment which may take the form of adaptive-support furniture 2000. Adaptive-support furniture 2000 includes several support rungs 2110 with pulleys 2114 and 2118, a first frame member 2120 with pulleys 2124, a second frame member 2140 with pulleys 2144, a first elongate flexible member 2132 and a second elongate flexible member 2134.

Support rungs 2110 span the first 2120 and second 2140 frame members to provide a compound support surface for a user of the adaptive-support furniture 2000 and may be partially housed at first ends by first frame member 2120 and at second ends by second frame member 2140.

Rather than being constrained by frame members 2120 and 2140, support rungs 2110 may be held together by tethers 2122 and 2142 which limit the spacing between support rungs 2110. Tether 2122 may hold together or limit the spacing between first ends of support rungs 2110 while tether 2142 may hold together or limit the spacing between second ends of support rungs 2110.

A first set of pulleys 2114 is provided to the first ends of the support rungs 2110. A second set of pulleys 2124 is provided to first frame member 2120. First elongate flexible member 2132 is strung back and forth between pulleys 2124 and pulleys 2114 from a front to a rear of seat 2100 to offer an adjustable and adaptable suspension thereof. Threaded through pulleys 2124 and pulleys 2114, first elongate flexible member 2132 links support rungs 2110 such that motion of the first ends of support rungs 2110 is interdependent.

A third set of pulleys 2118 is provided to the second ends of support rungs 2110. A fourth set of pulleys 2144 is provided to second frame member 2140. Second elongate flexible member 2134 is strung back and forth between pulleys 2144 and pulleys 2118 from the front to the rear of seat 2100 to offer an adjustable suspension thereof. Threaded through pulleys 2144 and pulleys 2118, second elongate flexible member 2134 links support rungs 2110 such that motion of the second ends of support rungs 2110 is interdependent.

In accordance with the interdependence, movement of one or more of support rungs 2110 in a first direction causes one or more other support rungs 2110 to move in a second direction opposite or substantially opposite the first direction. Elongate flexible members 2132 and 2134, the pulleys of the frame members 2120 and 2140 and the pulleys of the support rungs 2110 are configured to cooperate to equalize force and/or pressure among support rungs 2110.

Adaptive-support furniture 2000 further includes retraction devices or reels 2152 and 2154 provided to first frame member 2120 and retraction devices or reels 2156 and 2158 provided to second frame member 2140. Reels 2152, 2154, 2156 and 2158 are configured to adjust a baseline position of support rungs 2110 by adjusting the length of elongate flexible members threaded through pulleys 2114, 2118, 2124 and 2144.

For example, rotating reel 2152 in a first direction wraps an increasing length of elongate flexible member 2132 around reel 2152 to decrease the length of the elongate flexible member available for passing around pulleys 2114 and 2124. This effectively raises the baseline position of the first ends of support rungs 2110. It follows that rotating reel 2152 in a second direction opposite the first direction results in a decreased length of elongate flexible member 2132 wrapped around reel 2152 thereby increasing the length of the elongate flexible member 2132 available for passing around pulleys 2114 and 2124. This effectively lowers the baseline position of the first ends of support rungs 2110. Similar actions of reel 2156 results in similar responses to elongate flexible member 2134 and, thereby, second ends of support rungs 2110. Supplemental reels 2154 and 2156 similarly adjust the available lengths of elongate flexible members 2132 and 2134, respectively

In a further example, a tensioning device may be provided to level support rungs 2110 to the baseline position when furniture 2000 is not in use.

A dog 2153 and biasing member 2155 are configured to selectively prevent movement of reel 2152. When the resistance of biasing member 2155 is overcome, dog 2153 may be disengaged from a toothed surface of reel 2152 allowing the reel to be rotated to the appropriate position for the preferred baseline level of support rungs 2110. In an example, biasing member 2155 may be a spring configured to press dog 2153 against the toothed surface of the reel 2152. A rigid elongate member such as a shaft 2157 may be fixedly coupled between reel 2152 and reel 2156 such that the two reels rotate together. Locking the two reels together encourages balanced levelling or positioning of the first and second ends of support rungs 2110.

In some embodiments, each support rung end is constrained to at most three degrees of freedom. For example, each support rung 2110 may be allowed to rotate about its longitudinal axis and each of the first and second ends may be allowed to translate by tethers 2122 and 2142. Independent translation of the first and second ends of support rungs 2110 may yield rotation about a horizontal, transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Support rungs 2110, frame member 2120, frame member 2140, tether 2122 and tether 2142 cooperate to yield a single compound support surface. In an example, this compound support surface may provide a seat 2100 for a chair. One or more additional compound support surfaces may be produced by duplicating these components. For example, with a second compound support surface, a back rest (not illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 ) may be provided to seat 2100. While the compound support surface of seat 2100 is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 7-9 as including eleven support rungs 2110, it will be appreciated that any number of support rungs 2110 suitable for supporting the desired portion or portions of a user's body may be included.

Depending on the body parts to be supported by support rungs 2110, the compound support surface may be divided into zones so that parts requiring different amounts of support are supported by the different zones. As illustrated, adaptive-support equipment 2000 includes only a single zone. However, by fixing elongate flexible member 2132 at one of the pulleys 2124 and flexible member 2134 at the paired one of pulleys 2144, two zones can be created. The two zones would not be in communication and support rungs 2110 of the separate zones would behave independently. In this case, there would be front and rear zones of seat 2100.

In another example, the number of elongate flexible members could be multiplied to multiply the number of independent support zones. For example, multiplying the single elongate strand on each side into two strands such that each strand is strung between a subset of the paired pulleys yields two independent zones that each include interdependent support rungs 2110. This form may be suitable for separately supporting a user's legs and a user's torso.

A pedestal and one or more legs, collectively referenced by numeral 2300, may be provided to the seat 2100 to elevate the same above an environmental support surface such as a floor or the ground. Further, arm rests may be coupled with a back portion or seat 2100 and foot or leg rests may be coupled with seat 2100 to support a user's feet and/or legs.

Adaptive-support furniture 2000 may take any of a variety of dimensions suitable for supporting either or both of juvenile and adult human users. For example, seat 2100 may be about or approximately 16-24″ by about 12-18″ and could take rectangular or square shapes. Components of adaptive-support furniture 2000 such as support rungs 2110 and frame members 2120 and 2140 may be formed from any of a variety of strong, durable materials including but not limited to wood, metal, composites or high-density plastics.

While the first and second frame members 2120 and 2140 may take any of a variety of forms suitable for housing or limiting the ends of support rungs 2110 and for mounting the frame member pulleys, in an example, they are substantially planar or plate-like. Similarly, while the first and second frame members 2120 and 2140 may be provided in any of a variety of relative orientations, in an example, they are substantially parallel. By substantially parallel, the first and second frame members 2120 and 2140 may define an angle therebetween of only about 1 or 2 degrees. In another example, first and second frame members 2120 and 2140 may resemble bars.

Support rungs 2110 may take any of a variety of shapes suitable to provide a comfortable, compound support surface to a user of the equipment including but not limited to circular cross-section, elliptical cross-section and rectangular cross-section.

FIGS. 10-15 illustrate additional or alternative adaptive-support equipment which may take the form of adaptive support furniture 3000. Adaptive-support equipment 3000 includes several pistons 3114, several cylinders 3122 and a reservoir 3124 within a frame 3120. Pistons 3114 each have a first end received by one of cylinders 3122 and a second end provided with a support rung 3112. Cylinders 3122 are mounted or otherwise provided to a frame member 3120 and communicate with a reservoir within frame member 3120.

In an example, cylinders 3122 are open to reservoir 3124 and no valves or similar control structure are/is provided between cylinders 3122 and reservoir 3124 so that reservoir 3124 is in unrestricted fluid communication with cylinders 3122.

One or more seals may be provided in an external surface of pistons 3114 or to an internal surface of cylinders 3122 to prevent a fluid held in cylinders 3122 and/or reservoir 3124 from escaping through the spacing between cylinders 3122 and pistons 3114. In an example, the seals may be gaskets such as O-rings or toric joints.

A fluid contained by the reservoir and cylinders links the pistons such that motion of the pistons is interdependent. It follows that support rungs 3112 are also linked such that motion of support rungs 3112 is also interdependent.

Reservoir 3124 is configured such that, through a fluid held within reservoir 3124 and cylinders 3122, relative motion between support rungs 3112 is inversely related. Movement of one or more of support rungs 3112 in a first direction causes one or more other support rungs 3112 to move in a second direction opposite or substantially opposite the first direction.

Support rungs 3112 cooperate to yield a single compound support surface. In an example, this compound support surface may provide a seat 3100 for a chair. One or more additional compound support surfaces may be produced by duplicating these components. For example, with a second compound support surface, a back rest may be provided to seat 3100. While the compound support surface of seat 3100 is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 10-15 as including nine support rungs 3112, it will be appreciated that any number of support rungs 3112 suitable for supporting the desired portion or portions of a user's body may be included.

Through a fluid, reservoir 3124, cylinders 3122 and pistons 3114 are configured to cooperate to equalize, among support rungs 3112, an external pressure applied thereto. As the fluid is pressed from one cylinder 3122 by a piston 3114 it is redistributed to reservoir 3124 and other cylinders 3122 until an equal force from the fluid stops pistons 3114.

In accordance with the interdependence, movement of one or more of support rungs 3112 in a first direction causes one or more other support rungs 3112 to move in a second direction opposite or substantially opposite the first direction. Cylinders 3122, reservoir 3124, a fluid held within reservoir 3124 and pistons 3114 are configured to cooperate to equalize force and/or pressure among pistons 3114 which, in turn, contour support rungs 3112 in accordance with the equalized force and/or pressure. Support rungs 3112 respond to external pressure from a user naturally, without requiring a feedback loop of electronic or digital sensing, analysis of sensor data and activation of powered motors.

The baseline position of pistons 3114 and support rungs 3112 is set by adjustment of the volume of fluid held within reservoir 3124. Increasing the amount of fluid within reservoir 3124 pushes pistons 3122 out to raise support rungs 3112, while reducing the amount of fluid draws pistons 3122 into lower support rungs 3112.

Depending on the body parts to be supported by support rungs 3112, the compound support surface may be divided into zones so that parts requiring different amounts of support are supported by the different zones. A zone control or valve 3152 may be provided to selectively prevent fluid communication between groups of the cylinders and/or between volumes/regions of the reservoir. The valve effectively yields two independent zones that each include interdependent support rungs 3112. With the zone control open, all support members are linked in a constant force and/or pressure state.

As illustrated, adaptive-support equipment includes two zones. However, in another example, the number of valves could be multiplied to multiply the number of independent support zones. For example, multiplying the single valve by a number n yields n+1 independent zones that each include interdependent support rungs 3112. The number of zones will be determined by the ultimate configuration and need of a particular system and body position. The zones will often be broken up along the length of a person's body. The zones will allow for communication of the support rungs so that they work together to support the person with equal force.

Frame member 3120 may be configured to constrain the pistons, for example, to a single dimension of translation. While frame member 3120 may take any of a variety of forms suitable for housing the reservoir and housing or constraining the pistons, in an example, frame member 3120 is substantially planar or plate-like or a relatively thin rectangular prism.

Each support rung 3112 may be constrained to at most two degrees of freedom. For example, each support rung 3112 may be allowed to rotate about a central axis of the piston to which it is coupled and each piston may be allowed to translate along the same axis.

A pedestal and one or more legs, collectively referenced by numeral 3300, may be provided to seat 3100 to elevate the same above an environmental support surface such as a floor or the ground. Further, arm rests may be coupled with a back portion or seat 3100 and foot or leg rests may be coupled with the seat 3100 to support a user's feet and/or legs.

Adaptive-support furniture 3000 may take any of a variety of dimensions suitable for supporting either or both of juvenile and adult human users. For example, seat 3100 may be about or approximately 16-24″ by about 12-18″ and could take rectangular or square shapes.

Support rungs 3112 may take any of a variety of shapes suitable to provide a comfortable, compound support surface to a user of the equipment. Shapes include but are not limited to circular cross-section, elliptical cross-section and rectangular cross-section.

Components of adaptive-support furniture 3100 such as support rungs 3112 and frame member 3120 may be formed from any of a variety of strong, durable materials including but not limited to wood, metal, composites and high-density plastics. In an example, pistons 3114, cylinders 3122 and reservoir 3124 may include one or more fluid-impermeable materials such as high-density plastics.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate additional or alternative adaptive-support equipment which may take the form of furniture 4000. The adaptive-support furniture 4000 includes several pistons 4114, several pulleys 4116 and 4126, at least one frame member 4120 and an elongate flexible member 4132.

Pistons 4114 each have a first end provided with a support rung 4112 and a second end provided with pulleys 4116. Pistons 4114 are at least partially housed by frame member 4120. In an example, pistons 4114 together with support rungs 4112 resemble a ‘T’ shape in profile with support rungs 4112 being substantially, approximately or about perpendicular with pistons 4114 to provide a compound support surface for a user of the adaptive-support equipment. By substantially, approximately or about perpendicular, support rungs 4112 may define an angle of between from 87 to 93 degrees with pistons 4114.

Frame member 4120 may be configured to constrain motion of pistons 4114, for example, to a single dimension of translation. Pistons 4114 may be constrained by several receptacles or bores (not visible) through frame member 4120 with the first ends extending from a first side, such as the bottom of frame member 4120 and the second ends extending from an opposite second side, such as the top, thereof. The receptacles or bores of frame member 4120 are configured to enable movement of pistons 4114 along a central axis of pistons 4114. Bushings may be provided within the receptacles to facilitate free movement of the pistons 4114 therewithin. Each support rung 4112 is constrained to at most two degrees of freedom. For example, each support rung may be allowed to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the piston and may be allowed to translate towards and away from frame member 4120 as pistons 4114 translate within the receptacles or bores of frame member 4120.

Two or more of the receptacles or bores may be relatively angled. For example, a first receptacle or bore may be vertical when furniture 4000 is placed in a horizontal orientation, a second receptacle or bore may be angled a few degrees relative to the first receptacle or bore and a third receptacle or bore may be angled a few degrees relative to the second receptacle or bore.

Pulleys 4126 are provided to the at least one frame member 4120, for example, between the receptacles or bores. A first elongate flexible member 4132 is strung/threaded back and forth between pulleys 4126 of frame member 4120 on one side thereof and pulleys 4116 of pistons 4114 on one side thereof to offer an adjustable suspension of pistons 4114. Threaded through pulleys 4126 of frame member 4120 and pulleys 4116, elongate flexible member 4132 links pistons 4114 such that motion of pistons 4114 is interdependent. It follows that support rungs 4112 are also linked such that motion of support rungs 4112 is similarly interdependent.

In accordance with the interdependence, relative motion of support rungs 4112 is inversely related such that movement of one or more of support rungs 4112 in a first direction causes one or more other support rungs 4112 to move in a second direction opposite or substantially opposite the first direction. Elongate flexible member 4132, pulleys 4126 of frame member 4120 and pulleys 4116 of pistons 4114 are configured to cooperate to equalize force and/or pressure among support rungs 4112.

As with the example frame members 1120, 1140, 2120 and 2140 of FIGS. 1-9 , while frame member 4120 of the adaptive-support equipment may take any of a variety of forms suitable for housing or constraining pistons 4114 and for mounting the frame member pulleys, in an example, it is substantially planar and may be plate-like.

Adaptive-support furniture 4000 further includes retraction devices or reels 4152 provided to frame member 4120 and configured to adjust a baseline position of support rungs 4112 by adjusting the length of elongate flexible member 4132 threaded through pulleys 4126 and support rungs 4112. For example, rotating reel 4152 in a first direction wraps an increasing length of elongate flexible member 4132 around reel 4152 to thereby decrease the length of elongate flexible member 4132 available for passing around pulleys 4116 and 4126. This effectively raises the baseline position of support rungs 4112. Rotating reel 4152 in a second direction opposite the first direction results in a decreased length of elongate flexible member 4132 wrapped around reel 4152 thereby increasing the length of elongate flexible member 4132 available for passing around pulleys 4116 and 4126. This effectively lowers the baseline position of support rungs 4112. In a further example, a tensioning device may be provided to level support rungs 4112 to the baseline position when furniture 4000 is not in use.

Support rungs 4112 cooperate to yield a single compound support surface. In an example, this compound support surface may provide a seat 4100 for a chair. One or more additional compound support surfaces may be produced by duplicating these components. For example, with a second compound support surface, a back 4200 may be provided to seat 4100. While the compound support surface of seat 4100 is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 16-20 as including eleven support rungs 4112, it will be appreciated that any number of support rungs 4112 suitable for supporting the desired portion or portions of a user's body may be included. Similarly, while back rest 4200 is illustrated by way of example as including eleven support rungs 4112, it will be appreciated that any suitable number of support rungs 4112 may be included.

Depending on the body parts to be supported by support rungs 4112, the compound support surface may be divided into zones so that parts requiring different amounts of support are supported by the different zones. In an example, the number of elongate flexible members could be multiplied to multiply the number of independent support zones. For example, multiplying the single elongate strand on each side into two strands such that each strand is strung between a subset of the paired pulleys 4116 and 4126 yields two independent zones that each include interdependent support rungs 4112. This form may be suitable for separately supporting a user's legs and a user's torso.

A pedestal and one or more legs, collectively referenced by numeral 4300, may be provided to seat 4100 to elevate the same above an environmental support surface such as a floor or the ground. Further, arm rests may be coupled with a back portion or seat 4100 and foot or leg rests may be coupled with seat 4100 to support a user's feet and/or legs.

In another example (not illustrated), a second elongate member may be strung back and forth between pulleys provided to a second side of the frame member and pulleys provided to a second side of pistons to offer additional stability and/or support.

Adaptive-support furniture 4000 may take any of a variety of dimensions suitable for supporting either or both of juvenile and adult human users. For example, the seat 4100 may be about or approximately 16-24″ by about 12-18″ and could take rectangular or square shapes. In a further example, the back 4200 may be about or approximately 16-24″ wide by about or approximately 14-30″ tall. In another example, dimensions of the adaptive-support furniture 4000 may be suitable for supporting animals.

Support rungs 3112 may take any of a variety of shapes suitable to provide a comfortable, compound support surface to a user of the equipment. Shapes include but are not limited to circular cross-section, elliptical cross-section and rectangular cross-section.

Components of adaptive-support furniture 4000 such as support rungs 4112 and frame member 4120 may be formed from any of a variety of strong, durable materials including but not limited to wood, metal, composites or high-density plastics.

Elongate flexible members disclosed with reference to FIGS. 1-9 & 16-19 may take the form of strings, strands, threads, cords, cables, ropes, belts or bands.

Again referring to the support furniture of FIGS. 1-9 & 16-19 , it should be noted that while a pulley is often considered to be a device which rotates about an axis to support an elongate flexible member and/or change direction of the elongate flexible member, provided they enable a change of direction of an elongate flexible member and are sufficiently smooth to facilitate relative motion between the elongate flexible member and the pulleys, disclosed pulleys need not rotate. The pulleys may be made of a low friction material and/or include bearing or similar construction.

While equipment 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 have been separately described, the disclosure anticipates combining one or more features of one of these with one or more features of another of these. For example, it may be suitable or desirable to combine seat 1100 of equipment 1000 with back 4200 of equipment 4000 or vice versa. Further, it may be suitable or desirable to combine seat 3100 of equipment 3000 with back 1200 of equipment 1000 or vice versa. Similarly, it may be suitable or desirable to combine seat 3100 of equipment 3000 with back 4200. Further still, it may be suitable or desirable to eliminate back 1200 from equipment 1000, to eliminate back 4200 from equipment 4000, to add a back to seat 3100 of equipment 3000 or to add a back to seat 2100 of equipment 2000.

Embodiments of the disclosure are susceptible to being used for various purposes, including, though not limited to, enabling users to provide support solutions for people in any orientation. This applies to people in semi standing positions, to seated, to reclined, and to prone.

Modifications to embodiments of the disclosure described in the foregoing are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by the accompanying claims. Expressions such as “including”, “comprising”, “incorporating”, “consisting of”, “have”, “is” used to describe and claim disclosed features are intended to be construed in a non-exclusive manner, namely allowing for items, components or elements not explicitly described also to be present. Reference to the singular is also to be construed to relate to the plural. 

1. Adaptive-support furniture, comprising: a plurality of support rungs each having first and second ends; a first frame member; a second frame member; a plurality of pulleys provided to first and second ends of the support rungs and to the first and second frame members; a first elongate flexible member threaded through the pulleys of the first frame member and the pulleys of the first ends of the support rungs such that motion of the first ends of the support rungs is interdependent; a second elongate flexible member threaded through the pulleys of the second frame member and the pulleys of the second ends of the support rungs such that motion of the second ends of the support rungs is interdependent; and tethers holding the support rungs together.
 2. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elongate flexible members, the pulleys of the frame members and the pulleys of the support rungs are configured to cooperate to equalize force among the support rungs.
 3. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein the frame members are configured to constrain the first and second ends of the support rungs.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first ends of the support rungs are constrained by slots in the first frame member and the second ends of the support rungs are constrained by slots in the second frame member.
 6. The furniture as set forth in claim 5, wherein two or more of the slots are relatively angled.
 7. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein each support rung end is constrained to a single dimension of translation.
 8. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an elongate flexible member reel.
 9. The furniture as set forth in claim 8, wherein the elongate flexible member reel is configured to rotate.
 10. The furniture as set forth in claim 8, wherein the elongate flexible member reel is configured to adjust a baseline position of the support rungs.
 11. The furniture as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a dog and biasing member configured to selectively prevent movement of the elongate flexible member reel. 12-21. (canceled)
 22. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first frame member at least partially houses the first ends of the support rungs and the second frame member at least partially houses the second end of the support rungs.
 23. The furniture as set forth in claim 1, wherein the tethers are configured to limit the spacing between the first ends of the support rungs and limit the spacing between the second ends of the support rungs. 